1998 Ferrari F355 Spider - Manual

The Ferrari F355 Berlinetta burst onto the World stage in the spring of 1994, with the Targa GTS and Spider following in 1995. The F355's name is derived from its 3.5-litre V8 engine and five valves per-cylinder, as denoted by the Cinquevalvole inscription on the rocker covers, and this longitudinally-mounted power unit generates an impressive 374bhp at a spine-tingling 8250rpm. The con-rods are titanium alloy, the clutch is housed in magnesium alloy, and the Bilstein shock absorbers use electronic sensors to provide active damping.

Confirmed by the accompanying service book, this Spider was delivered new in Rossa Corsa with Crema leather and Bordeaux carpeting and specified with the fabulous 6-speed manual gearbox. The first owner, a Mr D. Compton, took delivery from Testarossa Cars S.A. to his Marbella address on 7th January 1998 and, weeks later, registered the car in the UK on 22nd January 1998. The history file includes a Sytner Nottingham sales invoice dated 29th September 1998 made out to a Mr C. Burton with an odometer reading of 818km. A year later, a Mr A. Smith purchased the car from Sytner with an odometer reading of 2,900km. We assume that, although both invoices record the odometer reading in miles, they actually represent kilometres. Service stamps, receipts and copy V5C confirm the car’s history.

Having owned and enjoyed a F355 GTB in the UK, our vendor set about looking for a good left-hand drive F355 Spider for use at his home in Monaco. After an extensive search, he purchased this very smart example on 1st April 2018 with 36,000km indicated. Prior to purchase, the car was inspected by Ferrari specialists Damax. Coincidentally, the car had spent time in Monaco during Mr Smith’s ownership and was serviced at Ets Cavallari, the service arm of Ferrari Monaco, in 2003. During our vendor’s residency there, it was maintained by them, and the car accompanied him back to the UK when he retired. Since then, it’s been looked after by marque specialists Damax and Keys Motorsport, the latter carrying out the last cambelt service in August 2021 at 40,375km.

With a Collection dominated by some rather special Bentleys that are, perhaps, better suited to our vendor’s retirement plans, this car is offered to auction in simply lovely order. Reams of main dealer and Ferrari specialist service receipts complement the service book and the V5C and tool kit are present. Further, the car will be delivered to auction with a fresh annual service and a fresh MOT. The Cherished Registration Number N16 SSY, allocated to the car in 2005, is also generously included in the sale.

Very few left-hand drive Ferraris boast British ownership from new, and for domestic buyers who wish to use the car for continental touring, the service history and provenance is reassuring. Equally, as a manual Ferrari F355 Spider finished in classic colours, this estimate represents real value for a European buyer in comparison to its contemporaries marketed on the continent.